Loss of Quality in the Platinum Editions?

[Disney Duster]

First, I'm basing all the Platinum Edition quality on menus and bonus features, not the films.

Okay, so the first Platinum Edition ever was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and almost everyone agrees it is the best Platinum Edition. It had a fantastic restoration, a traditionally animated and computer animated magic mirror as the host, along with computer animated versions of the backgrounds from the film, great, extensive, beefy bonus features with little fluff except for the game, as well as other celebrity hosts and an easily navigatable menu design.

Then Beauty and the Beast came out. Once again, people agree it was one of the best. The only real complaints seemed to be about the movie's transfer and the three versions of the film not giving it the highest picture quality. But those also had computer animated backgrounds from the film, a literal library of information on the making of the movie, and fun featurettes. It also had celebrity hosts.

Then The Lion King, arguably Disney's most popular film, came out and that had a huge loss in quality. There were computer and traditionally animated backgrounds and characters (at least on the first disc), but the actual bonus features had little substance or were even about the film itself, except the deleted scenes, and most agree the design was not easy to navigate.

Then there was Aladdin, which many think is one of the best. Wasn't that the first to get the EasyFind System that Disney created for the menus, just after The Lion King's not so easy menu system? Hmmm...well, anyway this got some computer animated main menus, as well as great extensive bonus features.

Then, Bambi came after Disney's announcement that they would release two Platinum Editions a year instead of one. It had a well-done restoration. This was also the first Platinum Edition to not have an audio commentary, though the Walt's Story Meetings feature is accepted by most as an adequate, maybe even better replacement. It was also first in not having any computer animated backgrounds for the menus, even the main ones. The games did have nice computer animation, but still. The bonus features, though there weren't that many, are generally thought to be good and plenty. It also had some hosting by Patrick Stewart.

But then Cinderella came out, with the most drastic restoration on any Disney DVD. It only had a computer animated carriage and slipper in the main menu. There was no audio commenatry again. There were only a few bonus features of some substance, but most were not considered beefy or even that much about the film. The discs didn't even have full art.

Then there was Lady and the Tramp, which had a beautiful restoration. Like the three before it, it didn't have an audio commentary, but had substantial bonus features and even computer animated menus.

Now we have The Little Mermaid, which did not have the most revealing restoration. It had what seems to be a combination of computer and traditional animation for the first main menu, but then pretty much just the film's backgrounds for the second disc's menus. The bonus features are pretty beefy, though not everyone got everything they wanted in it. Again, the discs were bare except for minimal character art.

So, I have come to the conclusion that even though all the Platinum Edition have lessened in quality since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, I think that by releasing two Platinum Editions a year Disney got to spend less time on each DVD, those DVDs suffered more because Disney didn't get to do very much computer animation for the menus, or come with as many great bonus features. I for one, really liked seeing the backgrounds from the films rendered in CGI, and was dissapointed that I didn't get to see this for my more favored films as they were released after these CGI backgrounds decreased. The celebrity hosting also disappeared.

Also, Cinderella had the restoration that made it look the most new, perhaps out of fear that kids wouldn't like it if they figured out it was old. Aside from that, The Little Mermaid saw the least difference in restoration out of all the cel-animated films, but was it because it was so new, because fans would have a fit if it looked too different, or because they didn't have enough time?

Also, it seems the most popular films got the most affected. The Lion King and Cinderella are too hugely popular films that suffered the most, while the less popular actually seemed to get the best treatment (Aladdin wasn't popular in terms of sales, while the March Platinum Editions, which are considered the less "big" films, got treated well). But then again, maybe Aladdin's poor performance made Disney think, "The Platinum Editions didn't sell that well this year! Why make them as great as that one when it didn't sell well?"

So, thoughts, observations, speculations, conspiracies?

[BATBfan1]

I agree with you on everything you said! Could not have made it any clear.

I LOVE to read other peoples opinions even Disneykid! He comes up with such great answer lol.

[Disneykid]

I agree in the decline in quality. Don't get me wrong: I think all of the Platinums are quite good in their own right (even The Lion King once you figure out the menus). They suffer, though, when compared with one another. I, too, love seeing CG menus. I find Disney characters and locales fascinating in CG, even if most hate them. One thing I noticed is how the Platinums no longer have hosts on their menus. Snow White had the mirror, Beauty and the Beast had all the enchanted servants, The Lion King had practically every sidekick character from the film except Benzi and Ed, and Aladdin had Iago and Jafar. Again, it all ends once the two Platinums a year routine started.

Also note that the Platinums which had a whole year devote to themselves not only have main documentaries, but a plethora of smaller, topic-specific featurettes. From Bambi onward, the Platinums have had one major documentary, and a couple of smaller featurettes. The Virtual Galleries were also, sadly dropped. The Lion King and Bambi at least had selected commentary on their artwork without the virtual aspect, and Aladdin had a nice Art Review with the directors. After that, the galleries became commentary-less again. I was so looking forward to Cinderella having a virtual gallery like some other princess movies, but none came. Bambi's infamously grim deleted scenes were nowhere to be found on its disc. None of the Alan Menken Platinums had song demos for songs that actually ended up in their respective films. As for transfers, Beauty and the Beast had compression artifacts beyond belief, though was otherwise excellent, and while I think Lowry could've made The Little Mermaid slightly sharper and cleaner than Technicolor did, I'm very satisfied with its quality. All of the other releases are perfect to me in this department.

Jim Hill once said in one of his articles (yeah, yeah, I know; I'm taking it with a grain of salt, too) that Disney will revisit all of these films in the future in a way that'll cater specifically to die-hard film fans (as in, like, 3-disc sets) and will carry significantly higher price tags. I don't know if he's referring to the Blu-Ray releases, or what, but I'll gladly double dip if Disney overkills on bonus materials. If that ends up being the case, that could explain why these releases have been getting lighter and lighter: they're dumbing down SD to make HD more alluring.

I LOVE to read other peoples opinions even Disneykid! He comes up with such great answer lol.

I don't know whether to be flattered or miffed that you said "even" me.

[Beastboyravenz]

Hi, I honestly feel that the little mermaid may not have gotten the best restoration, but it is one of the few platinum edition dvd's to have retained it's originality. Ofcourse it's not as perfect and as good as cinderells restoration wise, but it managed to look the way it should have for a 17 yr old film. It's just really sad that cinderella and beauty and the beast's colors didn't manage to retain their originality. I remember both these films being dark. I really miss that old feeling.

[Beastboyravenz]

I'm sorry, I totally went off topic. Very sorry.

[HappyPug]

Yeh I noticed that too over the years.

But mums have said to me a few times that they don't care bout all that sort of stuff they just watch the movie.

But thats bogan Australian mothers not proper Disney collectors who appreciate everything thats on the DVDs.

Yeh, the bonus stuff has been getting less n less.

But lets hope its cos theyre amassing stuff for BluRAY re-release?

Only time will tell.

[Simba3]

Yes, I would agree with most everything you said. However, I think Disney may have set the bar so high with the first couple of Platinum Edition releases that the later ones seem pale in comparison. I think all of the Disney Platinums are unique in their own way, which is really great. I think ever PE release has one really awesome featurette on it. I see a lot of complaints about "The Lion King"s PE but I thought it was great, and I'm a HUGE "Lion King" fan. Sure, there could have been more stuff on there, but the stuff that was included I thought was really great. The PE's are an extraordinary achievement for Disney, and they certainly spoiled die hard Disney fans with the first two releases. The later platinums might not rank quite as high as the first two, but they are still fantastic and exciting none the less.

144 days until Peter Pan's Platinum Edition release!

[blackcauldron85]

Bambi's infamously grim deleted scenes were nowhere to be found on its disc.

What are you speaking of? I don't think I knew about those..."Robin Hood" (which I love- but I love them all) is even having deleted scenes, and yet "Bambi"'s Platinum Edition DVD doesn't have any...shame, shame.

However, I think Disney may have set the bar so high with the first couple of Platinum Edition releases that the later ones seem pale in comparison.

I agree, but it's unfortunate. Since TLK has had so much reanimated (waterfalls, crocodiles, dust, etc.), and there's not much in terms of bonus features (I mean, they're not bad, but not as good as on other releases), it's almost worth watching it on the VHS. I don't mind VHS, but it's a shame to say that in regards to a Platinum Edition DVD, which should be the pinacle of how Disney films are presented as of now.[/i]

[Flanger-Hanger]

I to felt the same way about the platinum DVDs, until the Little Mermaid came out. I couldn't belive it, the film actually had an audio comentary and alot of fun and interesting bonus features (even the games and activities). I think after Cinderella (which should have been the best of the platinum editions IMO) Disney may have atually realized that the fans wern't happy and mabey Little Mermaid is a sign that things are getting better

Only 20.5 weeks till Peter Pan! Yay!

[Disney Duster]

Thanks for pointing all those other things out, Disneykid! About the characters from the films hosting, the virtual galleries and their audio commentary), the Alan Menken demos, and the grim /i]Bambi[/i] deleted scenes, all not present on these later Platinum Editions. Prince Charming's palace would have been perfect to have a virtual Cinderella gallery, what with the scene where you see paintings of Prince Charming growing up!

Also, I never knew about "Disney Die-Hard Editions" of these movies coming, so thanks! I hope they have versions of the film with the original grain, mistakes, and lighting intact. With the chnages made to Cinderella, The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast, fans should rejoice for that.

Hi, I honestly feel that the little mermaid may not have gotten the best restoration, but it is one of the few platinum edition dvd's to have retained it's originality. Ofcourse it's not as perfect and as good as cinderells restoration wise, but it managed to look the way it should have for a 17 yr old film. It's just really sad that cinderella and beauty and the beast's colors didn't manage to retain their originality. I remember both these films being dark. I really miss that old feeling.

You didn't get off-topic! The restorations are part of the Platinum Editions, which is what we are talking about. I 100% agree with you. In every restoration they brighten things, and it changes the mood of the films. It's hard for me to watch a film I love when the film's colors look like they're going to blind me!

And about the March Platinum Edition which are considered the slightly less popular titles, and them getting treated better than the October ones, I wonder if that means Disney thinks the general populace likes games and fluff more than in-depth features about the film.

[Beastboyravenz]

Thanx you for agreeing, for a moment I thought nobody read my post . Another movie that isn't part of the platinum line, but that I thought was just stunning was sleeping beauty. IMO it one of the best restorations ever.

[Disney Duster]

Thanx you for agreeing, for a moment I thought nobody read my post . Another movie that isn't part of the platinum line, but that I thought was just stunning was sleeping beauty. IMO it one of the best restorations ever.

YES! I think it was the best restoration for any Disney movie! I was hoping that all the rest of the Walt Disney animated classics would get the very same treatment! But alas...no. I think it may have been restored so perfectly because visually it is considered Walt Disney's most beautiful film.

[BATBfan1]

I don't know whether to be flattered or miffed that you said "even" me.

Hahaha, n/p

and I love your answer ONCE again.
It's like I don't even have to say anything, you said it all lol.

[Beastboyravenz]

I think you're right Disney Duster. It just looks the best it could, and it also had alot of extras, I especially like the part where they compare the original film to the restored version. Not only was the color accurate, but watching it in widescreen gives it a classic feel. Imagine how much more detailed and beautiful the backgrounds would look if it were transfered to HD DVD.

[PatrickvD]

You appear to care a lot about computer enhanced dvd menus.... why? It's the bonus features, right?

I'm usually pissed off when they don't include original theatrical trailers and poster artwork. In that, Lion King is the worst of all.

Aladdin and Snow White are hands down the two best PE's. Bambi is solid too.

[blackcauldron85]

Thanx you for agreeing, for a moment I thought nobody read my post . Another movie that isn't part of the platinum line, but that I thought was just stunning was sleeping beauty. IMO it one of the best restorations ever.

I thought I read somewhere that "Sleeping Beauty" is going to be in the Platinum line...but I could be wrong...?

[Wonderlicious]

What are you speaking of? I don't think I knew about those..."Robin Hood" (which I love- but I love them all) is even having deleted scenes, and yet "Bambi"'s Platinum Edition DVD doesn't have any...shame, shame.

The Bambi DVD does have deleted scenes. It's just that they left out some of the more morbid deleted scenes such as the death of Thumper (yes, in the second half, our favourite bunny got murdered) and the bloodier version of Bambi's mother's death (instead of hearing of the death from his father, Bambi actually found his mother lying in the snow in a pool of blood).

[Simba3]

I thought I read somewhere that "Sleeping Beauty" is going to be in the Platinum line...but I could be wrong...?

In 2003 Disney added Sleeping Beauty, Fantasia, Pinocchio, and Peter Pan to the line of 10 Platinum Editions titles, for a total of 14. Since then Peter Pan's release got bumped up to March 2007 and 101 Dalmations's release has been pushed back (until who knows when). With the way things have been switching around, I don't think anyone knows for sure what will be happening in the Platinum Edition line after the October 2007 release of The Jungle Book. Hope this helps...

[Lars Vermundsberget]

Note: The "main feature" that makes the Platinum Editions stand out from most other Disney DVDs is the fact that they're supposed to be available for a limited time only. And not even there have they been entirely consistent, as far as I've heard...

[DisneyFreak5282]

Well I just read a few minutes ago, that Bambi and Lady and the Tramp will be going out of print on January 30, 2007. So pick up your copies today while you still can (I have all the Platinums). I'm guessing Cinderella will go in October 2007, and The Little Mermaid in October 2008.